‘Believe in yourself, even when you don’t’

Gwynne McCue, ’97, is a Manhattan-based interior designer combining her aesthetic sense with business acumen to create personalized and practical designs. She’s also an intrepid adventurer, such as when she summited Thorung La in Nepal (above). The accomplishment, she said, “best represents my perspective that we can all achieve anything we dream, one careful step at a time. ... Epic!”

In an interview with Amy Ogle, ’26, McCue shared the story of how one event introduced her to Drew Poffel, ’99, a new friend and future client. At the end, Ogle asked her to take the Spider Questionnaire. Here’s how she responded.

Q: What’s the best thing to happen to you in the last few years?
A: I made time for a six-week design sabbatical through Europe — totally offline.

Q: At this point in your life, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned? 
A: Mindset matters: Believe in yourself, even when you don’t.

Q: What makes you optimistic? 
A: Seeing the wonderful difference that good, smart people can make in the world.

Q: What’s something you’ve held onto since college? 
A: My sense of adventure.

Q: What’s something you’ve had to learn the hard way? 
A: You can be your own worst enemy.

Q: What’s your advice for students on campus today? 
A: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” —Henry David Thoreau

Q: What’s the most surprising place you’ve ever run into another Spider? 
A: At the bottom of the Grand Canyon!

Q: What does being a Spider mean to you? 
A: Spiders gained all we need to capably grab life by the horns. We know it’s not a dress rehearsal. Work hard, play hard!

Q: What’s one thing you’ve learned not to worry about? 
A: Having all the answers from the start. You’ll always find them.

Q: What is something about yourself or the world that you hope is different in 10 years? 
A: I wish we could all find more common ground and get along.